So... my e30 got t-boned last week.

[Brew]

Basically I was heading to work Thursday morning and taking a left turn when the driver of a Subaru, who was stopped at a stop sign, decided to accelerate into the driver's side of my car. Door, B-pillar, rear quarter, and rocker are severely damaged, but repairable.

Now I'm trying to deal with the insurance company (Progressive).

Blue book value of a 1991 318is with 100k miles is like $1500, which we all know is completely off the mark.

As some of you may know I have a lot of time and money into this car, here's a quick list:

S50 w/ approx 80k miles, less than 10k miles on fully rebuilt top end w/ Supertech double valve springs/ Ti retainers.
Euro HFM
24# injectors
Turner/JC software
Stromung cat-back
Dinan BBTB

Lightened stock flywheel
SPEC Stage 2 clutch
Medium case 3.73LSD

Ground Control 350f/475r
Koni SA shocks, struts
Vorshlag camber plates
OE E30 M3 CABs
AKG poly subframe bushings and eccentric trailing arm bushings
Sparco front strut brace
'95 M3 steering rack
Momo Competition steering wheel
Tekniq "Street" quick release

BBS RG003 15x7, et25
205/50-15 Hankook RS-2
Rota Slipstream 15x8, et20
225/45-15 Nitto NT-01 r-comps

MHW smoked tails
Smoked Euro Ellipsoids
MHW smoked turn signals
Euro bumper trim

Alpine headunit
Alpine V12 5-channel MRV-752
Elemental Designs 11kv.2 Sub
Infinity Kappa 6.5" components

VSR rollbar
Cobra Imola GT seat
Cobra Monaco seat
G-Force 6-point harnesses

The car is rust free, and has never been in any serious accidents before this, but the paint is faded and it has quite a few little dents and dings.

I've done all of the work myself over the past 3 years, probably amounting to hundreds of hours. I have receipts for many parts, but many others were bought from private parties and the motor, one of the biggest expenses, was purchased with cash from a salvage yard in RI.

I don't expect the insurance company to just take my word for it when I tell them I have over $10k and hundreds of hours into it. Has anyone else been through this before and what did you do?

Thanks for reading, I'm gonna go throw up now.

[e304me]

buy back is the only logical decision

[Brew]

For sure, but I can't fix the car for $1500. I haven't gotten a quote yet, but I'm guessing its at least $4k worth of damage.

[Holland]

Ouch, that's really sad to hear, don't let another E30 down. I'm sure you can make it better.

[dude8383]

really sad to hear this. there's a guy that everyone always mentions when it comes to getting the appraisers to give you better value for your car.

i'm going to see if i can find that thread.

*EDIT* found some stuff

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=126774

more specificallly...thats the guy

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=1324025&postcount=15

best of luck to you!

[BigD]

Really sorry to hear that dude...

The only way to know for sure is to talk to someone in your jurisdiction, however that being said I can tell you how things work around here. I haven't been in your situation but I have had to sell my M5 to a guy whose dad was financing the purchase, and insisted the car was insured for what he paid. He didn't want to go through the hassle and argued but the law here is that you get paid what you insured. It makes sense because the underwriters base the premiums off what they know about the car. You can't be insured for an arbitrary amount. If you insure a 1990 E30, you'll be paid fair market value for a 1990 E30 (because this is what your premiums were based on). If you want more coverage, you have to get the car appraised and the policy re-done (not after you file a claim). Most insurance companies around here will drop you at this point (or jack your rate so you'll go running yourself).

If I was in your shoes, after I was done puking, I'd buy it back and either part it or swap the goodies into another shell.

[Il Duce]

FUCK. Noooooooooooooooooo. dammit what the hell is happening to all the OGz?!?!!?!?!

[BlackSpeed66]

Sorry to hear about your car. Did you have a rider attached to your policy for your Custom parts & Equipment? If not, it may be difficult to get reimbursed for much of it, sorry to say. Your policy should have $1k CP&E included but obviously you've got much more invested. Start looking for your receipts and see what the claim rep can do for you. In the event that is not an option, see what parts you're allowed to remove - this helps us insurance guys out a lot when you can replace your modded stuff with the stock parts.

Also, most insurance companies use NADA for valuation. There is an NADA for "classic" cars that you can find on their website. I was able to find and print out valuation for my '87... see if you can looks yours up in there and that may be able to help a bit. Start looking for comparables on AutoTrader as well as that can help your case too. "Cult" cars like these are tough to attach a value to and I hurt a little inside every time I see one that's totalled in a claim.

Owner retains is always an option. With a car such as yours that you've invested so much into, it may be the best way.

[Jean]

Dude :( Buy it back and build another.

[E30Eric]

Buy another E30, swap everthing. Much cheaper and will have a strait unibody. You could take the time to get a nice paint job while you take everything out. If the M20 is good out of the car you buy, you can sell that too...

[E30Idea]

Buy another E30, swap everthing. Much cheaper and will have a strait unibody. You could take the time to get a nice paint job while you take everything out. If the M20 is good out of the car you buy, you can sell that too...

+1 This is what I would do. Sorry to hear about your loss :(

[Paukert11]

wtf?? omg OK the funny thing is that this happened to me in my e34. But the bad thing is the fucking insurance company. I feel you man. This fucking bite. I hope the best for you man.

[dmoney(AB)]

sorry to hear.

will you be parting out?

[daniel]

people are talking about his insurance coverage and saying theyre going to determine value. his insurance doesn't matter, because it wasn't his fault. its the other persons insurance he has to deal with.

[wastedincome]

Hey there Brew, Its been a LONG time since I been around and it suck to come back and here of your shitty situation. You got pics of the damage?? If you need a home for the S50 let me know ;)